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"Y Gwir yn erbyn y Byd.Kymric Proter b. Give me, above all other liberties, the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely, according to conscience."—John Milton.

-----------NOTES AND COMMENTS.

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NOTES AND COMMENTS. The Sultan is still playing the astute game ot diplomacy with the Powers. He has won a position in Thessaly, and he is not in a hurry to evacuate it. The only influence that will bring about his submission is the definite, specific evL dence that the Powers mean to exercise coercion. We do not like this word "coercion," and much less its practice; but with the Assassin even coer- cion of the most violent form would be welcomed by us. Lord Salisbury is not inept in the practical application of coercive force, and wherever he finds he can use it, as the bully uses his strength, he has not failed to do it; but with the Sultan he has proved that he lacks the very elements of courage. Tie. has made the English flag ridiculous and reproachful in all the" cQuntrIe of the civilised world where liberty has been a sacred principle, and where it had in the past been honoured and respected. The Sultan liig been allowed to trample the Christian communities of the East with licensed freedom, because the Powers, and especially Great Brit, ain, have been deplorable failures in diplomacy unsupported by the courage that should accom- pany it in dealing with the treacherous Abdul. We can only sigh for a little of Beaconsfield's or Gladstone's spirit when we think of Salisbury's frothy and futile methods of foreign policy." It is most fortunate that the majority of the County Schemes under the Welsh Intermediate Education Act had been enacted before the present clerical passion for grasping power had overran the country. Lord Salisbury is entirely at the whim and caprice of the bishops and clerical powiers. The Voluntary Schools Act is proof that there is but one aim and purpose in the clerical mind, and that is to capture the schools of the country as auxiliaries of the church. They love education only when the powers of administering it are absolutely and wholly in their own hands. It u now nothing bu< wholesale attempts at capturing every pos- sible institution that has an educational purpose. 'The Denbigh Schcmo has come under the dis- pleasure of the Bishops, who have been wire- pulled into the opposition by the Bishop of St. Asaph. This scheme was initiated under the Welsh Intermediate Education Act, and passed by the Tory Government in 1889. The County Councils and the Charity Commissioners framed it, and it was revised by the Education Depart- ment, and finally received the sanction of the Lord President. But this, unfortunately, was not enough, and it had to pass the Houses of Parliament, and the House of Commons was simply a process; but the House of Lords and the bishops was another matter, and was too much for ifi. The ridiculous part of it is that Lord Salisbury, both by vote and speech, helped the bishops to bring about the rejection of the Scheme, which means nothing if it does not mean I a vote of censure on the Education Department. It has come about at last that the Duke of Devonshire, as well Sir John Gorst, know what it is now Lo be snubbed by their own chief. Liberal Unionism may be something, but it is nought when the bishops aro on the warpath. The returns sent out by the Cardiff School I Board in respect to the teaching of Welsh nt the Board Schools has been a startling revela- tion of the most pleasant kind to the Cymru Fyddite. We know well what have been the epithets considered most appropriate to Cardiff by outsiders. They have not classed the coming Welsh metropolis as over-aifected with love for anything ..ales or Welsh in aspiration. We were not of that belief. Various occasions had shown us that there was a growing force at work in Cardiff which was of a distinct national tendency. The ambition of Cardiff for the Uni- versity Court Offices, the Central Board Offices, its splendid sacrifice in securing the finest col- lection extant of Welsh Bookt in its Free Library, all told us very plainly that there were Welshmen of light, leading, and influence in the counsels of the town, who were working fo making the town in principle and practice a fit custodian of all that is in essence and body the metropolis of the Principality. The fact that 70 per cent, of the replies returned to the School Board on the Welsh Teacliing departure in its schools are favourable to the inno- vation has given a finality to all cavils tiiai, Cardiff is cosmopolitan and alien in sym- pathies to Welsh aspirations. We rejoice in the returns, and every Welshman's heart beats with enthusiasm for the present movement. We have always upheld that by every canon of educa- tional judgment the Welsh Language should not be an outcast in the Schools of its own people. This doeg not mean depreciation of English, but in practice and result it means a more intelligent acquirement of IJoth, We have heartily sup- ported this departure in ystradfyodwg, and firniliy believe it will end in tfie best of results for the children of the Rhontlda. We shall hail the adoption of the principle by every educational body in Wales, and trust that this wise educa- tional policy will largely prevail.

THE COMMON AS A PARK

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THE COMMON AS A PARK More Opinions of Local Gentlen\e?|. With a view of ascertaining the feeling as to the desirability of converting the Common into a park and recreation -round, in accord- ance with the proposal of Councillor Watkin Williams, a "Free Press" reporter has again waited upon a number of local gentlemen upon the subject, and below will be found their opinions: MR R. A. LEWIS, LLOYD'S BANK. "I am strongly in favour of it, and it's a. great pity it was not done twenty years ago. If we go to Aberdare we find there a magnificent park, which, I understand, was formerly nothing but a bare waste, and not nearly as attractive as the Common. If the local authorities twenty years ago had been alive to the future of Ponty- pridd, they would certainly have expended a considerable sum in making the Common attrac- tive then. I consider that their procrastination should not be a guide to the present Board, but they sttould tackle the question at once as proposed by Councillor Watkin Williams and others, inasmuch as I understand Sir William Thomas Lewis has now pledged himself to inter- fere no further with the surface of the Com- mon." MR RICHARD ROGERS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BURIAL BOARD. "I am for it entirely, and think it a very de- sirable place for a park. Yes, I am strongly in favour of the proposal." MR JAMES COOMBES. "It is rather early to express an opinion be- fore we know all about it, but I would like to see the Common laid out. As to the purchase of tho Ynysangharad, I am afraid it would be beyond our reach. It is a ground that wants to be utilised for building purposes in order to centralise the town, and if the County Offces came here we will want that land for building purposes. At present any extensions must be done outside the town By laying the Common out it will be making tilie place worth going to; it is very pretty now, but there is room for great improvement. The place, however, should be fenced in, as it is dangerous at present. I think the idea of having a lake there is preposterous; it would be much better to throw a weir across the Taff and there would then be an admirable place for boating." MR J. E. B-vJOKS. "I disagree with spending any money on tho Common, but I am prepared to sanction the, purchase of a few acres at a marketable price on the Ynysangharad fields, because if we lay money out on the latter place, I believe the cost of laying out the lround in an attractive way would be infinitesimal. When laying out money the ratepayers ought to induce people to come to the town by laying out the ground in an attrctive way, such as by having cricket, etc. I think there should be a cycling track there also, as I consider the town can ill afford to spend any money on the place without get- ting some return, and undoubtedly if there were a cycling track there and athletic meet, ings held a largo number of people would be attracted to Pontypridd..1 would be willing to borrow the money for that purpose, otherwiso I< am not agreeable to spending money on any ground other than the Ynysangharad, and only on that provided a track is constructed, on which athletic meetings could be held. The thousands of people brought into town by those sports would compensate the ratepayers for any expenditure they might incur in laying out the ground." MR THOMAS THOMAS, TY'NYWERN. "Yes, I think it will be a great acquisition to the neighbourhood of Pontypridd if the Com- mon should be converted into a park and recrea- tion ground. The site is on an elevation which will add to its suitability as a health resort. All towns of smaller dimensions than Pontypridd are trying to secure plots of land for such pur- poses. The Coedpeenmaen Common is already allotted to the people as a recreation ground, and if a sum of money could be borrowed for carrying out the proposed scheme, I consider the 'money well spent if it would add in any way to the comfort and enjoyment sof the people." MR MOSES SEVERN, CHECKWEIGHER, MARITIME COLLIERY. I was pleased to notice in the "Free Press" that at the District Council meeting Mr Watkin Williams suggested that the Common be con- verted into a park and recreation ground for the benefit of the people, that Mr rettigrew's report is most favourable to the scheme, and that he believes the Common could, for a reasonable outlay of money, be formed into the prettiest park in WTales. I am strongly in favour of the Common being coiyerted into a park and recrea- tion ground for the use of the people. Although the Common in its present state bears a some- what barren appearance, it is visited by lnind- reds of people in a single week. In my opinion the Common is an ideal place for a recreation ground, the situation is healthy, the air is brac- ing, and could be converted into a charming resort. With regard to the best, mode of lay, ing out the ground, I think the matter might safely be left in the liands of —o District Coun- cil. There is one point I wish to impress on the members of tho District Council, which is -^at when the work is about, to be commenced care shall be exercised to ensure that all the worthy unemployed in Pontypridd district are afforded the pi-eferment of work on the job. I am con. vinced that there ought to be a park and re- creation ground in Pontypridd. The workers need something difjarent occasionally to all Work, Pub, and Bed. I happen to rub should- ers with large numbers of the workers, and I have no hesitation in stating that a well-laid out park and recreation ground would be highly ap- preciated. When we consider that the Common is the property of the people, and is in every way suitable, common sense pronounocs in favour of it being the proper site for a park and recrea- tion ground.

THE HEALTH OF GLAMORGAN.

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THE HEALTH OF GLAMORGAN. County Medical Officer's Annual Report When, some half-dozen years ago, Alderman Walter H. Morgan proposed, and Dr H. Naun. ton Davies, J.P., seconded, that the County Council of Glamorgan should engage a medical officer to supervise the sanitation of our county, they little anticipated the countlesse prospective blessings which they were showering upon the people. The appointment of Dr W. Williams, M.A., M.D., D.Ph., who is rightly acknowledged to be one of the ablest sanitarians of the day, has been followed by splendid results in the way of sanitary improvements, which must tend to brighten the lives of our working classes and to improve the general health. We have ore us Dr Williams' annual report for last year, and an interesting instructive Volume it is. We are surprised to find tllâ.t the Doctor has again to call attention to the fact that Caerphilly Urban Council and Llantrisant and Llantwit Vardre Rural Council, like three or four more laggardly authorities, "do not consider it worth their while t,o print their Medical Officers' re- ports. Caerphilly and Llantnsaftt are making a lillgfi mistake; for, as Dr Williams puts it, "by the publication of health reports, there is more likelihood of interest regarding sanitary questions being aroused in districts, and the efforts of the officials to carry out improvements will likewise gain additional support." NEGLECTED GILFACH GOCH. "The locality known as Gilfach Goch is still included in three Sanitary Districts, an here some re-adjustment of boundaries is desirable.' WATER SUPPLY. "Considerable attention ha sbeen paid to defective water supplies, and the following im- provements are reported to have been effected: "Caerphilly.—At Pwllypant jS7 was expended in piping the water from a spring to the side of the main road. The Council lately unsuccess- fully promoted a Bill in Parliament for provid- ing all the populous centres of their district with water, except the Taff's Well Ward." "Pontypridd.-A new storage reservoir above Maerdy is in course of construction." "Llantrisant and Llantwit Vardre.—Water mains for Cowbridge and Penygawsi Wards and Pantequesta, and other improvements." The Caerphilly, Pontypridd, and Ystradyfod- wg districts are described as being inadequately supplied with water. "HOW THE POOR LIVE." "If there is one part of the report more inter- esting than another, it is that which describes the efforts made to improve the housing of the working classes. Amongst insanitary and unfit houses condemned during the past year were— Caerphilly, 11: Pontypridd, 6; Ystradyfodwg, 4-2; Llantrisant and Llantwit Vardre, 8. Re- ference is made, under this heading, to the im- portant test cases heard at Pontypridd, which resulted in the doing away of "lip-traps," so generally in use at Cilfynydd. REFUSE TIPS. "Refuse destructors" are recommended for Pontypridd, etc. The disposal of house refuse .P in our deep, narrow, mining valleys is one of the most important and most difficult problems that remain to be solved. The nuisances resulting from "tips" are well-known, and the Ystrady- fodwg, Pontypridd, and other authorities have oftentimes discussed the best means for the dis- posal of house refuse, but so far without any tangible result. Several Medical Officers of Health refer to the want of more systematic scavenging. I have frequently remarked that nothing short of cremation can effectually cleanse the refuse tips of our narrow valleys- The accumulations are extremely filthy, but seldom disinfected, or fenced in. They can be seen and smelt from a distance, and are doubt- less associated with the origin and spread of "filth fevers." The practice is still common of allowing unprincipled builders to use the screen refuse for building purposes. MORE REFORMS TO BE DONE. "The general progress made during the year has been very satisfactory, and your (the County Council's) intervention has for some time been productive of good results. I would specially mention the progress made towards providing Isolation Hospitals. Local Authorities are be- coming, year by year, more alive to their mani- fold responsibilities as custodians of the public health; but there are, however, several matters requiring more attention at their hands, such as-(I) The more strict enforcement of building bye-laws, and the necessity of not allowing new houses to be occupied until thev are certified to be, in every respect, fit for human habitation. (2) The discontinuance of the objectionable and liarmufl practice of allowing house refuse to be used for making mortar foT building purposes: (31 The systematic house-to-house inspection of each district at frequent intervals. (4) The in- spection of Schools at least once a quarter. (5) More attention to the inspection of articles r f fcod and drink, especially meat, fish, and milk, Also the inspection of milch cows and byres, and the framing and enforcement of regulations made under the Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milk- shops Order. (6) More attention to the provi- sions of the Factory and Workshops' Act, 1895. ISOLATION HOSPITALS. With regard to the erection of Isolation Hos- pitals, Dr Williams seems pretty well satisfied with the steps taken by Pohtypridd, Caerphilly, Barry, and Llantrisant and Llantwit Fardre.

PONTYPRIDD BOARD OF GUARDIANS.

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PONTYPRIDD BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The Abolition of Overseers. TAXATION OF LAND VALUES. The weekly meeting of the Guardians was hekt on Wednesday, Mr Godfrey L. Clark, J.P., presiding. A letter was read from Mr Forwood, Axmin- ster, asking the Guardians to sign a memorial asking the Local Government Board to make it compulsory that in the event of any dispute be- tween two unions as to the chargability of a pauper, the matter should be referred to the Local Government Board for arbitration. On the proposition of Mr W. Little the letter was allowed to lie on the table. The Neath Board of Guardians wrote asking the Board to pass a resolution similar to the one they enclosed, which was to the effect that the overseers as at present constituted should be abolished, and that a paid officer in each union should be appointed to superintend the collectors. Mr Williams (Llantwit): Am I to understand that this person is to be a kind of "g-affer" over the others? The Clerk: I think the intention is that he should be a kind of valuer. On the proposition of Mr Lewis Williams, seconded by the Rev R. Thomas, the suggestion was rejected. The Bedwellty Union wrote asking the Guardians to pass a resolution in favour of the taxation of ground rents, royalties, etc. Mr James Richards: I move that we take no- tice of that, whatever. I think it is full time that the country should take notice of it. (Hear hear). Rev R. Thomas: I second the proposition that we sign the petition. Mr W. Little: I move that the petition be not signed. The landlord's property is already rated, and if you rate it. again you rate it twice. Mr S. Evans, J.P., seconded, and added that he did not think they would like to be assessed themselves if they had property. Mr Lewis Williams said he did not think the landlords paid rates twice over. They had no risk; that was all thrown upon those poor people who worked the coal. The landowners ought to pay directly, and they would then take more interest in the matter. Dr Ivor Davies said he thought a Royal Com- mission had been sitting upon that question, and the matter had been gone into thoroughly by Parliament.. He, therefore, did not think they would be doing any g0od by passing that resolu- tion. On the resolution being put 15 voted for it and 9 against. A letter was read from the Secretary of State acknowledging the receipt of the address of congratulation to the Queen, and promising to place it before Her Majesty.

; Caerphilly Sweep oq the…

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Caerphilly Sweep oq the War-path. A BLACK DAY'S RECORD. At the Caerphilly Police Court on Tuesday, before Alderman H. Anthony and other justices, John Swift, a Caerphilly sweep, was summoned fo- assaulting D. J. Rees, part proprietor of th-, brickworks at Cwm. It appears that cn the 13th inst. defendant went to the complainant and asked for some money, wliioh tho latter refused to give. The defendant then struck Mr Rees in the mouth and badly assaulted him. Several witnesses gave evidence in corrobora- tion. Defendant vlesvled guilty, and was Ihound over to keep the peace for six months. Another cliargo was also heard against. Swift. Aft-er liavina assaulted Mr Rees, defendant went t the brickworks and broke several kilns there, t;ausin/ damage to the extent of £ 2. i The Bench imposed a fine of ZZ and 106ta.